School measures get OK in Cotati, Rohnert Park, Petaluma

KERRY BENEFIELD

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | June 26, 2012

A parcel tax in Cotati-Rohnert Park School District and a bond measure in Old Adobe School District are assured passage after county elections officials said too few ballots remain uncounted to change the outcomes.

The victories finalize a sweep for the five school bond measures and one parcel tax that voters were asked to approve on June 5. Voters also said yes to bond measures for Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Wright and Guerneville school districts.

The results will remain unofficial until elections officials certify a final tally. There is no schedule for that announcement.

Cotati-Rohnert Park School District, which was scheduled to adopt its $43 million general fund budget Tuesday night, will not include anticipated revenues from the $89 per parcel, said Superintendent Rob Haley.

"We don't know the certified results so it's not included in our budget," he said.

The district can include revenues from the tax in financial updates submitted to the Sonoma County Office of Education in the fall and money from the tax likely will arrive in spring 2013, he said.

Revenues from Measure D are expected to produce about $5.3 million for the district over the five-year life of the tax.

The $89 charge is expected to appear on property tax bills that go out on November. But seniors and those who receive Social Security for disabilities can apply for an exemption by providing a copy of their tax bill, proof of age and a district waiver at district offices on Burton Avenue.

The deadline to file for an exemption is July 15 but district officials said they will work with those seeking a waiver beyond that date if necessary.

In the Old Adobe District in Petaluma, voters approved a $26 million bond measure that will charge property owners $30 per $100,000 in assessed value.

"We are thrilled," said Superintendent Cindy Pilar. "Kids deserve modern, safe school facilities and this will give us the means to achieve that."

The district's bond project list includes technology upgrades, repair and replacement of roofs, classroom and restroom upgrades and the installation of solar panels. The district will immediately move toward creating a citizen oversight committee and determining a list of priority projects, Pilar said.